THURSDAY 17TH MAY

SPRING HAS FINALLY SPRUNG and one of our residents has given birth.JOANNA came in two weeks ago in a very poor state so thin that we thought it unlikely she could be pregnant - we now have an anxious time hoping she wont reject the babies and that she is also strong enough to rear them .The rescue is going to have to be extra quiet and this is the first time in our three years this has happened to us so we are excited and apprehensive .A report come in yesterday of hoglets being seen out with mum locally so it seems the baby season is upon us .If you find abandoned babies please keep them warm and phone a vet immediately --do not over handle them and also check that they are true orphans and that mum is not close by .Any signs of fly eggs mean the young are in big trouble and will need urgent attention -- do not attempt to feed them --.We are currently full at HEDGEHUGS but please ring CASTLEVIEW VETS 01924374111where the staff will be able to advise you or contact PALMER AND DUNCAN in ossett or your local vet urgently

THE strange winter and spring have played havoc with all wildlife and youngsters may be very early or very late --please take care in the garden and check for a nesting hog before cutting long grass or clearing undergrowth.

MONDAY 23RD APRIL

WE NOW FINALLY HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT and cheques can be made payable to HEDGEHUGS -- or through our paypal link on the website. We rely totally on donations and 100% goes to the care of the hedgehogs

SPRING NEWSLETTER --the new issue is ready and many of you will receive a postal one but it is also available on the website. This month we have a guest editor --MATT PLUMMER who took time out of his busy study and rehearsal schedule to do the honours for us for isssue 7 .

CONTACTING US --we are aware that it is not always easy to get hold of us --but please remember w e are only volunteers and there are only two of us and we do have to put the phone onto answerphone --if you have an injured hog please call CASTLEVIEW VETS 01924 374111 if you are unable to contact us and need advice . Wendy and Pauline do their best to get back to callers but do have families to consider too --thank you for your patience .

SPRING ADMISSIONS --hogs have been coming in in a poor state this past week and need lots of care--many are very underweight and have parasite issues --a well fed hog is better able to fight illhealth and is less prone to parasites so please consider investing in a feeding station to feed your hedgehogs-- ours has been in use all winter because of the mild conditions --and has just had a spring clean to ward off any nasties which may be present --We have also been cleaning all the cages and all outside boxes need to be scrubbed and cleaned too--hot soapy water and a cage cleaner will do the trick if your hog has made amess of his room over winter .

GARDNERS BEWARE

Please check for hedgehogs before starting spring garden work! strimmers, lawnmowers,forks clippers can all cause serious injury so check long grass, hedges and compost heaps first. At this time of year we receive far too many calls about injured hedgehogs as a result of garden implements.

Dry weather please provide fresh drinking water becuase of the unusally dry conditions.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 26TH

We have received our first hog of the year --a little scrap of a thing only 300gms found locally and very ill with lungworm .We have called him JANUARY and he is responding well to treatment but will be with us a while as he may have permanent lung damage .All of the rescue hogs are now awake and the males particulary are becoming very restless

During hibernation hedgehogs lose a lot of weight and body condition -- you can help by providing a high quality cat food --wet or dry and fresh water -- any hog that seems particulary scabby will need treatment --please contact us or castleview vets in wakefield for advice .

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